Last year Merullo, who is the hospital's operations supervisor for the security department, was the keynote speaker for the hospital's annual cancer golf tournament, which raises money for cancer care and equipment in the region.

Merullo is one of more than 240 people signed up to play in the 17th Annual Danbury Hospital Cancer Golf Tournament at the Ridgewood Country Club on Monday. The competition has netted the hospital $2.7 million in the years since 1989, when it started funneling all of its proceeds to the cancer center.

Cancer is a disease that touches nearly everyone in some way, said Susan Kani, the hospital's director of development. In Connecticut, 7,030 people died from some form of the disease in 2004 compared to 13,720 people in Massachusetts; 2,620 in New Hampshire and 36,160 in New York during the same period, according to the American Cancer Society.

So providing progressive cancer care is critical, Kania said. Last year the hospital's event raised more than $307,000.

Money is used for cancer programs and services, to buy new technology and "keep up with the changing face of health care," Kania said.

It takes a team of 24 committee members and an estimated 100 volunteers to put on the golf tournament.

"It's an incredibly dedicated committee of people," Kania said of the 24-member group.

Meetings begin in January. More than 100 volunteers are lined up to serve as scorers, to park cars, sell raffle tickets, or work as spotters on the greens and tournament rangers.

Ridgewood Country Club staffers provide food and the pro shop handles details such as golf cart setups and assisting with score card preparation. Volunteers work the tournament from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. "It is amazing, unbelievable, the teamwork," Kania said.

It costs $350 per player. Corporate sponsorships raise thousands of dollars more. It was cancer that made Paul Hart, 61, of Danbury, get involved. His father died of colon cancer more than 25 years ago. Hart said he has never forgotten the pain his dad suffered, or the sadness of losing a parent.

"My father had just turned 60. He had all the classic warning signs: blood in his stool, losing weight for no reason, but he chose to ignore them," said Hart who is one of three people chairing this year's cancer tournament. "He was more afraid of the tests, I think."

Hart, a businessman who loves golf, saw an opportunity about eight years ago to give back to his community, he said.

This year the committee aims to raise $310,000.

"Playing for a cause is important," Hart said. "And besides, the day is so well orchestrated. The players and sponsors who ponied up the money see continuity in the event. There is a lot of camaraderie. Everyone recognizes the region has come together to raise a significant amount of money for a great cause."